Date:         Sun, 26 Oct 2014 17:00:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Dan Barrett <dbx@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dan Barrett <dbx@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      brakes, and wheel bearings
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Friends:

I've replaced all of my brake lines, the front calipers and pads, and
the rear drums and shoes on my 1990 GL 2WD.  Got the bus off the
jackstands and out for a road test today, and I have two resulting
questions:

(1) the brakes are slightly softer than I remember.  I've bled
     them a couple of times, and the parking brake is dialed
     in perfectly as far as I can tell.  The brakes do not get
     firmer with pumping, they just bite slightly farther down the
     pedal travel than I'd like.  What have I done wrong?

(2) I cut the test drive short when I think I could feel
     the front driver's side wheel bearings rubbing in sync
     with wheel speed.  I've tightened the front bearings
     down in line with Bentley -- tighten to seat the bearings,
     backing off, then tightening enough so that the thrust
     washer can just be moved with a flathead screwdriver.
     There's no play in the wheels, and they don't bind when
     turning.  Am I missing something?

Any guidance greatly appreciated.

Best,
d.